2D SEISMIC INTERPRETATION AND PETROPHYSICAL

ANALYSIS OF ZAMZAMA BLOCK, LOWER INDUS

BASIN, PAKISTAN

By

Abbas Khan

Fahad Zaman

Huma Shafique

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Bahria University, Islamabad

2017
2D SEISMIC INTERPRETATION AND PETROPHYSICAL
ANALYSIS OF ZAMZAMA BLOCK, LOWER INDUS
BASIN, PAKISTAN

A thesis submitted to Bahria University, Islamabad in partial fulfillment of the

requirement for the degree of Bachelors in Geophysics

Abbas Khan

Fahad Zaman

Huma Shafique

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Bahria University, Islamabad
2017
 ABSTRACT

The seismic lines and well data of Zamzama block was used in structural
interpretation and petrophysical analysis of the study area. Three prominent reflectors were
marked on the seismic sections. Based on the reflectors trend a fault is marked within the
dip lines which is reverse fault. The structure has been interpreted as plunging anticline
structure in which the Pab Sandstone of Upper Cretaceous age acting as primary reservoir
in this area. Two zones are marked in formation having the average saturation of
hydrocarbon 69.1% and 69.86% respectively.

i
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our gratitude to all those who gave us the courage to
complete this research work. We owe special thanks to Prof. Dr. Tahseenullah Khan, Head
of Department, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bahria University, who
critically reviewed this research work and endowed us with his precious time.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our supervisor Mr. Adil
Naseer, Senior Lecturer, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences for his
guidance, supervision and encouragement.
Lastly, we are also thankful to DGPC for providing seismic and well logs data.

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 CONTENTS
Page

ABSTRACT i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
CONTENTS iii
FIGURES vi
TABLES vii

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to the area 01

1.2 Objectives 02
1.3 Data acquired 02
1.4 Acquisition parameter 03
1.4.1 Display parameters of seismic lines 04
1.5 Geophones spread 05

CHAPTER 2

GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS

2.1 Introduction 06
2.1.1 Southern Indus basin 07
2.1.2 Thar platform 08
2.1.3 Karachi trough 08
2.1.4 Kirthar foredeep 09
2.1.5 Kithar fold belt 09
2.1.6 Offshore Indus 09
2.1.7 Geologic/ tectonic boundaries map 10
2.1.8 Zamzama gas field 10

iii
2.2 Zamzama Structure 11
2.3 Stratigraphy of area 12
2.3.1 Sembar Formation 12
2.3.2 Goru Formation 12
2.3.3 Parh Limestone 13
2.3.4 Moghalkot Formation 13
2.3.5 Fort Munro Formation 13
2.3.6 Pab Sandstone 13
2.3.7 Khadro Formation 14
2.3.8 Bara Formation 14
2.3.9 Laki Formation 14
2.3.10 Kirthar Formation 15
2.3.11 Nari Formation 15
2.3.12 Gaj Formation 15
2.3.13 Siwaliks 16
2.4 Borehole stratigraphy 18
2.5 Petroleum system 18
2.5.1 Source rock 18
2.5.2 Reservoir rock 19
2.5.3 Top seal and cap rock 19

CHAPTER 3

SEISMIC DATA INTERPRETATION

3.1 Introduction 20
3.2 Basemap of the area 22
3.3 Time Depth chart 23
3.4 Fault picking 23
3.5 Marking of horizons 24
3.6 Velocity analysis 24
3.7 Interpreted seismic sections 24

iv
3.8 Interpretation of seismic lines 25
3.9 Contour maps 27
3.9.1 Time contour map of Pab Sandstone 28
3.9.2 Velocity contour map of Pab Sandstone 29
3.9.3 Depth contour map of Pab Sandstone 30

CHAPTER 4

PETROPHYSICAL ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF WELL LOGS

4.1 Introduction 31
4.2 Well data 32
4.3 Petroleum prospect 32
4.4 Methodology 32
4.5 Raw log data 33
4.6 Pab Sandstone Zone-1 33
4.6.1 Calculation of volume of shale Zone-1 34
4.6.2 Calculation of average porosity Zone-1 35
4.6.3 Calculation of effective porosity Zone-1 36
4.6.4 Calculation of saturation of water and hydrocarbon Zone-1 37
4.7 Pab Sandstone Zone-2 38
4.7.1 Calculation of volume of shale Zone-2 38
4.7.2 Calculation of average and effective porosity Zone-2 39
4.7.3 Calculation of saturation of water and hydrocarbon Zone-2 40

CONCLUSIONS 41
REFERENCES 42

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 FIGURES
Page
Figure 1.1. Location of Zamzama gas field and surrounding areas 01
Figure 1.2. Geophone spread 05
Figure 2.1. Tectonic map of Lower Indus Basin 10
Figure 2.2. Map showing basins of Pakistan 11
Figure 2.3. Faulted Zamzama anticline. 12
Figure 3.1. Basemap of the area 22
Figure 3.2. Time-Depth chart of the formations 23
Figure 3.3. Interpreted seismic line HPK 98A-31 25
Figure 3.4. Interpreted seismic line HPK 98A-32 25
Figure 3.5. Interpreted seismic line HPK 98A-33 26
Figure 3.6. Interpreted seismic line HPK 98A-34 26
Figure 3.7. Interpreted seismic line HPK 98A-36 27
Figure 3.8. Time contour map of Pab Sandstone 28
Figure 3.9. Velocity contour map of Pab Sandstone 29
Figure 3.10. Depth contour map of Pab Sandstone 30
Figure 4.1. Work flow of log interpretation 31
Figure 4.2. Log trends of Zone-1 33
Figure 4.3. Volume of Shale of Zone-1 34
Figure 4.4. Average porosity graph Zone-1 35
Figure 4.5. Effective porosity graph Zone-1 36
Figure 4.6. Saturation of water and hydrocarbon Zone-1 37
Figure 4.7. Log trends of Zone-2 38
Figure 4.8. Volume of Shale of Zone-2 38
Figure 4.9. Average and Effective porosity graph Zone-2 39
Figure 4.10. Saturation of water and hydrocarbon Zone-2 40

vi
 TABLE
Page

Table 2.1 Stratigraphical column of Zamzama area 17

Table.2.2 Borehole stratigraphy of Zamzama-01 well 18

vii
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to the area

The Zamzama Gas Field (ZGF) in the Zamzama block, lies in Dadu district,
Sindh (Figure 1.1). The area of investigation is situated in the Kirthar foredeep of the
Lower Indus basin, which apart from the ZGF possess a number of oil and other gas
fields. The area is bounded by 26° 30' N to 27° N and 67° E to 67° 50' E and lies about
200 km away to the north of Karachi and 10 km to the west of Dadu (Courtesy, BHP
Billiton).

This research work is meant to interpret the seismic section of Zamzama Gas
Field acquired by BHP Petroleum in May 1999

Figure 1.1. Location of Zamzama Gas Field and the surrounding areas (Courtesy: OMV, Pakistan).

1
1.2 Objectives

In order to accomplish the research study, following objectives are to be

addressed.

1. Identification and marking of reflectors for structural interpretation and

mapping of the subsurface using seismic data
3. Petrophysical analysis for the formation evaluation of Pab Sandstone.

1.3 Data acquired

Seismic lines (a total of 5), seismic base map from Landmark Resources
(LMKR) with the prior approval from the Directorate General of Petroleum Concession
(DGPC) were acquired for the study. Detail of seismic lines is as follows:

i. HPK89A-31 (Strike line)

ii. HPK89A-32 (Dip line)

iii. HPK89A-33 (Strike line)

iv. HPK89A-34 (Dip line)

v. HPK89A-36 (Dip line)

2
1.4 Acquisition parameters

General parameter
DATE : MAY1999,
CREW : WGC Seismic Crew 765A
RECORDING SYSTEM : I/O System 2
SPREAD TYPE : Symmetric Spread
PROCESS : Final Stack
S.P : 7-727
DATUM PLANE : M.S.L
PROCESSING SAMPLING INTERVAL : 2ms
HORIZONTAL SCALE : 1:25000
VERTICAL SCALE : 10cm/sec
FORMAT : SEG-D DEMUX
COVERAGE : 6200%
SAMPLE RATE : 2ms
RECORD LENGTH : 6sec

Source Information

ENERGY SOURCE : Dynamite

NUMBER OF HOLES : 01
HOLES DEPTH : 19.5 meters
CHARGE PER HOLE : 3 KG
S.P.INTERVAL : 50 meters

Recording Data

RECORDED BY : BHP Billiton

3
Instruments

SYSTEM : I/OSYSTEM
Format : SEG-D DEMUX

Receiver Information

SPREAD : Symmetric Split Spread

GROUP INTERVAL : 25 meters
NUMBER OF CHANNELS : 248
NEAR OFFSET : 12.5 meters
FAR OFFSET : 3087.5 meters

1.4.1 Display parameters of the seismic line

Display parameters are the information related to the seismic section such as
scale, time per centimeter on it etc. Display parameters of the line are given below.

i. Horizontal Scale : 20 Traces/cm

ii. Vertical Scale : 10 cm/sec
iii. Polarity : SEG Normal
iv. Display Gain : 73
v. Plot Mode : WT/VA

4
1.5 Geophone Spread
Data acquisition of the given line is done by using the split spread.

Figure 1.2. Geophone Spread.

5
 CHAPTER 2
GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS

2.1 Introduction

The area of investigation is tectonically complex (Kazmi and Jan, 1997). Shah
(2009) describes that “The drift in the Gondwana fragments is believed to have begun
in Jurassic; during which fast northward movement of the Indian plate during
Cretaceous followed by its counter clockwise rotation, formed a part of collision
process. Transform Zone (Chaman rift) resulted following renewed spreading in Indian
Ocean during post collisional northward movement of the Indian plate. The resultant
compressional forces produced some of the syntaxes, arcs and synclines throughout
Pakistan, probably in Early Oligocene. He further stated that the structure, so produced,
had probably been earlier influenced by pre-collisional tectonic elements in the syncline
and the shield areas of the Indian plate. The pre-collisional tectonic elements include
the development of belt like structures probably within anticlinal areas in the western
part of Indian plate, which was probably initiated in Jurassic and were fully emerged in
Cretaceous. These narrow, but sometimes, sharp ridges and belts along with their
associated intrusives and volcanic emplacements have been compared to island arcs by
Hunting Survey Corporation (1961) and with the worldwide oceanic ridges in their
origin (Zuberi and Dubois, 1963).
According to Shah (2009) “The most significant among these strips is named as
the axial belt, which divided the geosynclines and initiated the establishment of the two
great basins of Pakistan. The belt developed marginal to the western part of the Indian
shield and now to its east lies the Indus Basin and to its west the Balochistan Basin and
to the north great tectonic zone of the Tectonostratigraphic Basins and
Tectonostratigraphic Ranges, where each range or chain of mountains and associated
depression indicate a unique tectonostratigraphy”.
Shah (2009) defined the Indus Basin as the largest and more thoroughly studied
basin of Pakistan. The basin trends NE-SW for over 1600 km along its axis and the
width varies considerably with an average of 300 km. The basin contains sediments
ranging from Precambrian to Tertiary with marked absence of Ordovician, Silurian,
Devonian and Carboniferous (Shah, 2010). This basin is characterized by well-
developed platform deposits of the Jurassic age. Shah (2010) divided basin into, the

6
Upper Indus-Basin located north of 30th parallel and the Lower Indus Basin situated
south of 30th parallel. Approximately, the Upper Indus Basin covers more than 50,000
km2 area and in many ways the structural and stratigraphic conditions are different from
those of Lower Indus Basin. According to him, the Lower Indus Basin covers an area
of more than 250,000 km2 where along with other rocks excellent exposure of Jurassic
to Tertiary sedimentary section of about 13 to 16 km thickness, are present in its deeper
part, it is ideally suited for oil exploration. Distinctly except for some Tertiary
continental deposits, almost the entire sequence of Lower Indus Basin is of marine
origin. Bender and Raza (1995) divided the basin into Upper, Middle and Lower Indus
Basins (Figure 2.1).
As the Zamzama block lies in the lower Indus Basin and/or the Southern Indus
Basin, a detailed description of the Southern Indus Basin is given below.

2.1.1 Southern Indus Basin

Southern Indus Basin is located just south of the Sukkur Rift which is a divide
between the Central and the Southern Indus basin. The oldest rocks encountered in the
area are of Triassic age. The Central and the Southern Indus basins were undivided until
middle Cretaceous when Khairpur-Jacobabad High became a prominent feature. This
is indicated by homogeneous lithologies of Chiltan Limestone which is of Jurassic age
and Sembar Formation which is of lower Cretaceous age and lie across the high. This
part of the Indus Basin comprises the following five main units
1. Thar Platform
2. Karachi Trough
3. Kirthar Foredeep
4. Kirthar Fold belt
4. Offshore Indus
The platform and trough extend into the Offshore Indus. The Southern Indus
Basin is bounded by the Indian shield to the east and the marginal zone of Indian plate
to the west. Its southward is confined by Offshore Murray Ridge-Oven Fracture plate
boundary. The oldest rocks encountered in the area are of Triassic age. Central and
Southern Indus Basins were undivided until Lower-Middle Cretaceous when Khairpur-
Jacobabad high became a prominent positive feature. This is indicated by homogenous
lithologies of Chiltan Limestone (Jurassic) and Sembar Formation (Lower Cretaceous)
across the High. Sand facies of Goru Formation (Lower-Middle Cretaceous) are also
7
extending up to Kandhkot and Giandari area. This is further substantiated by Khairpur
and Jhat Pat Wells located on the High. In Khairpur–2 well, significant amounts of
Lower Cretaceous and Paleocene is missing while in Jhat Pat-01, the whole Cretaceous
and Paleocene are absent with Eocene directly overlying Chiltan Limestone (Jurassic).
Paleocene facies south of the High are quite different from those in North and are
dominated by clasitic sediments derived from the positive areas (Khairpur-Jacobabad
High and Nabisar Arc) (Kazmi and Jan, 1997)

2.1.2 Thar platform

It is gently sloping Monocline analogous to Punjab Platform controlled by
basement topography. The sedimentary wedge thins towards the Indian Shield whose
surface expressions are present in the form of Nagar Pakar High. It differs from the
Punjab Platform in that it depicts the buried structures formed due to extension
tectonisim resulting from the latest counter-clockwise movement of the Indian Plate. It
is bounded in the East by Indian Shield, merges into Kirthar and Karachi Trough in the
West and is bounded in the north by Mari-Bugti Inner Folded Zone. A stratistructural
cross section constructed through Thar Platform, Karachi Platform Trough and
Offshore Indus. The Platform marks very good development of Early/Middle
Cretaceous Sand (Goru) which are the reservoirs for all the oils/gas fields of Union
Texas Pakistan and Oil Gas Development Corporation in this region.

2.1.3 Karachi trough

It is an embayment opening up into the Arabian Sea. The Trough is
characterized by thick Early Cretaceous sediments and also marks the last stages of
marine sedimentation. It contains a large number of narrow chains like anticlines, some
of which contains gas fields (Sari, Hundi and Kothar). The Early, Middle and Late
Cretaceous rocks are well preserved in this area. It has been a trough throughout the
geological history. The Upper Cretaceous is marked by westward progradation of a
marine delta.
The most interesting feature of Karachi Trough is reportedly continued
deposition across the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) boundary wherein Korara Shales were
deposited, the basal part of which represents the Danian sediments. This localized
phenomenon probably represents a unique example where no Hiatus in sedimentation
occurred at the end of Cretaceous era. Elsewhere, in Pakistan a break in deposition
8
marked by laterites, Bauxites, Coal etc. is a common feature across the K/T boundary
(Ahmed and Ali 1991).

2.1.4 Kirthar foredeep

Kirthar foredeep trends north-south which have received the sediments
aggregating a thickness of over 15000 meters. It has a faulted Eastern Boundary with
Thar platform. It is inferred that the sedimentation had been continuous in this
depression. However, from the correlation of Mari, Khairpur and Mazarani wells it
appears that the Upper Cretaceous would be missing in the area. Paleocene seems to be
very developed in the depression but is missing from Khairpur-Jacobabad High area.
This depression, like Sulaiman Depression, is the area of great potential for the
maturation of source rock.

2.1.5 Kirthar fold belt

This North-South trending tectonic feature is similar to Sulaiman Fold that in
structural style and stratigraphy equivalence. Rocks from Triassic to recent were
deposited in this region. The configuration of the Kirthar Fold Belt also marks the
closing of Oligocene- Miocene seas.
The western part of Kirthar Fold Belt adjoining the Balochistan Basin, which
marks the western edge of the Indus Basin, is severely disturbed. This western margin
is associated with the hydrothermal activities which resulted in the formation of
economic minerals deposits of Barite, Flourite, Lead, Zinc, and Manganese.

2.1.6 Offshore Indus

This area forms the part of passive continental margin and appears to have gone
through two distinct phase of geological history (Cretaceous-Eocene and Oligocene-
Recent). Sedimentation in the Offshore Indus started from Cretaceous time. However,
deltaic and submarine fans sedimentation occurred since Middle Oligocene time with
the inception of Proto-Indus System.
Offshore Indus is divided into platform and depression along a hinge line in
close proximity and parallel to 67°East longitude. Offshore platform is divided into
Karachi Trough and the Thar Platform deltaic area by a line which divides Karachi
trough from Thar Slope Onshore (Kadri, 1995).

9
2.1.7 Geologic / tectonic boundaries map

Figure 2.1 Tectonic map of Lower Indus basin.

2.1.8 Zamzama gas field

The Zamzama gas field is located on the eastern margin of the Kirthar Fold Belt,
in the Lower Indus Basin, in the Sindh Province of southern Pakistan. The Lower Indus
Basin is bounded to the west by the North - South trending Kirthar Foldbelt and to the
east by the relatively undeformed Indian Craton. Location of Zamzama gas field is shown
in the Figure 2.2.

10
Figure 2.2 Map showing basins of Pakistan and location of the Zamzama gas field (Raza et al, 2008).

2.2 Zamzama Structure

The Zamzama structure comprises a large north-south orientated, eastward
verging thrusted anticline. The degree of thrusting and folding intensifies westward of
Zamzama as progressively older sediments of the Lower Indus Basin are exposed in the
Kirthar Foldbelt. The uplift and erosion at unconformity was accompanied by
extensional faulting, some of which has probably been reactivated during the
development of the Zamzama structure. The exact timing of the onset of folding at
Zamzama is difficult to determine, but is estimated to have been Plio-Pliestocene
(Courtesy, BHP Billiton).

11
Figure 2.3. Faulted Zamzama Anticline (Courtesr, BHP Billiton).

2.3 Detailed Stratigraphy of area

a. Cretaceous system

2.3.1 Sembar Formation

This is the lower most unit of the Cretaceous Sequence in the Kirther-Sulaiman
Region, consisting of blocks of shale interbedded with silt stone and nodular,
argillaceous limestone. The shale and silt and are commonly Glauconitic. The
formation is 133m thick in type area and 262 m thick in the MughalKot section. It has
a gradational contact with the overlying Goru formation through at places an
unconformity had been reported by Williams (1959).

2.3.2 Goru Formation

This formation is composed of interbedded lime stone, shale and siltstone. The
lower part is more shaly and consists of very thin-bedded, light- colored lime stone
interbedded with thin to irregularly bedded, calcareous, hard, splintery grey to olive-
green shale. The upper part is largely thin- bedded, light – colored porcellanneous
limestone with sub ordinate shale. It grates into the overlying Parh Limestone. At type
locality (Goru Village) the formation is 538 m thick (Shah, 1977).

12
2.3.3 Parh Limestone
This is very uniform distinct and persistent rock formation and exposed
extensively in the Kirther – Sulaiman region. It is thin – bedded, light grey, white or
cream colors with a persistent pink, purple to maroon colored band of interbeds of
variegated shales and marls. The limestone is hard, lithographic to porcellanneous,
platty to slabby with a concoidal fracture. In the type area in Parh range, the Parh
Limestone is 268 m thick through elsewhere its thickness ranges from 300 to 600 m. It
has a conformable contact with the underlying Goru Formation and is overlain
conformable by the MughalKot Formation (Kazmi 1988).

2.3.4 Mughal kot Formation

The term MughalKot Formation was applied by Williams (1959) to the strata
between the Parh Limestone and Pab Sandstone near MughalKot. Williams distinguished
the upper part as "Fort Munro limestone member" which is raised to formation rank in
the present report because of its wider extent in areas where the rest of the MughalKot
Formation is not developed. In the Kirthar Province, grey, silty and calcareous shale is
more abundant than the calcareous mudstone or marl. In the Dabbo Creek area (near
Karachi), basaltic flows are present in the subsurface (Williams, 1959).

2.3.5 Fort Munro Formation

The " Fort Munro limestone member “ is here elevated to the status of a
formation because of its distinct lithology and wide extent. . In the area around Bara
Nai (Kirther Province), the formation consists dominantly of limestone which weathers
in tones of bluish grey, light brown, cream and buff, thin bedded in the upper, and thick-
bedded, massive and reefoidal in the lower part. The limestone is sandy in the upper
part where some shale and brown-weathering sandstone are intercalated (Williams,
1959).

2.3.6 Pab Sandstone

Sand stone is exposed in the Kirther – Sulaiman region. It rests conformably on
the Fort Munro Formation, but in some localities overlies the Parh Limestone
unconformably (shah,1987). It consists mainly of white, cream or brown thick –bedded
to massive bedded, cross bedded, medium to coarse grained quartzose, sand-stone with
intercalations of subordinate argillaceous limestone and shale. The type section is west

13
of Wirahab Nai in the Pab Range where it is 490 m thick, through its thickness ranges
from 240 m thick to 1000 m (Kazmi and Jan, 1997).

In the Sibi, Kalat and Khuzdar Districts, the Takatu limestone is overlain
conformably by the Mazar Drik Formation, which consists of interbedded grey
limestone and dark shale. The type area is Mazar Drik where the formation is about 30
m thick (Williams, 1959).

b. Paleocene system

2.3.7 Khadro Formation

It is widely distributed in the Kirther and adjacent region lies unconformably
on the laki Cretaceous Pab sandstone and Moro Formation. At the type locality, the
basal part of formation consists of limestone containing oysters and reptiles bones. The
thickness of the Formation is test holes at Lakhra and Dabbo Creek, thickness of 140
m and 180 m were penetrated (Williams 1959).

2.3.8 Bara Formation

This formation conformably overlies the Khadro Formation and is wide!y
distributed in the Kirther Range and adjacent areas. The type section is in Bara Nai in
Lakhi Range. The formation consists of interbedded sandstone and shale. The sandstone
is fine- to coarse-grained, calcareous, ferruginous and at places glauconitic, ripple-
marked and cross-bedded. Beds range in thickness from a few centimetres to over 3 m.
The shale is soft, earthy, gypsiferous and commonly carbonaceous (Kazmi and Jan,
1997).

c. Eocene System

2.3.9 Laki Formation

It overlies the Ranikot group unconformably and is exposed mainly in southern
Kirther Range and in southern Suleiman Range. The type locality is near Meting and
near Mari Nai in the northern Laki Range. The formation comprises cream colored to
grey limestone, with subordinate marl, calcareous shale, sandstone and lateritic clay.

14
2.3.10 Kirther Formation
It overlies the Laki Formation conformably in the Kirther area. It is distributed
widely and covers also the Sulaiman area and parts of Wazirstan. In these areas it
overlies the Ghazij Group conformably. The area is in the Kirther Range. The Formation
is mainly fossiliferous limestone interbedded with subordinate shale and marl. The
limestone is thick –bedded to massive, nodular lime-stone in some areas, grey to white
in color and locally contains algal and corraline structures. The thickness of the
formation ranges from 15 m to 30 m in western Kirther range to 1270 m in the Gaj River
type section (Cheema et al., 1977).

d. Oligocene System

2.3.11 Nari Formation

It is exposed extensively in the Kirther and Sulaiman region , whereas scattered
outcrops are found in tectonoised thrust blocks in the Baluchistan Ophiolites –and –
thrust Belt. In the Kirther Province it conformably overlies the Kirther Formation except
in the Hyderabad anticlinorium where it oversteps and unconformably overlies the
Kirther and Laki formations (Blanford, 1876). The type section is in the Gaj River gorge
in the Kirther range (Kazmi and Jan, 1997).

The Upper Part of Nari Formation is mostly brown, fine – to- coarse- grained
sand stone with interbeds of shale. The lower part consists of interbedded grey to brown,
fossiliferous sandy limestones, calcareous sand stone and shale. At many localities the
Lower Part of the formation is a grey to brown shelly, nodular, and thick-bedded to
massive limestone which has been named the Nal member. The thickness of Nari
Formation ranges from 1045 m to 1820 m in the Kirther area (Khan, 1968; Iqbal, 1969)

e. Pliocene system

2.3.12 Gaj Formation

In the Kirther and Sulaiman Ranges, the lower part of the Neogene consists of
marine near-shore to estuarine sediments of Gaj Formation. The type locality is at the
Gaj River (Blanford, 1876; Cheema et al., 1977). The formation rests conformable and
transitionally over the Nari Formation. In the Sulaiman Ranges, however, it oversteps
and rests unconformably on older rocks at some places (Kazmi and Jan, 1997).

15
 The Gaj formation is mostly shale which is variegated, grey and gypsiferous and
cross-bedded sandstone and fossiliferous brownish, argillaceous limestone. However, in
the southern part of the Kirther range in Karachi area, the formation predominantly
consists of yellow–brown sand stone and cream- colored or pinkish- white argillaceous
limestone. Its thickness ranges from about 90 m in Quetta area to 600 m in Kirther area.
(Khan, 1968; Cheema et al., 1977)

2.3.13 Siwaliks
The group is widely distributed in the Indus Basin, parts of the Calcareous Zone
of the northern axial belt and in the Waziristan— Parachinar areas. The lower contact
of the group is conformable in most of the localities. However, in parts of the western
Kirther Province and Quetta region, the contact is unconformable with the Kirther or
Laki formations The upper contact with the Lei conglomerate is usually unconformable.
The group has yielded an abundant vertebrate fauna consisting of nearly all types of
mammals together with varieties of reptile, fish and birds. The vertebrate fauna
indicates Middle Miocene to Early Pleistocene age (Kazmi and Jan, 1997).
Stratigraphic column is shown in Table 2.1.

16
Table.2.1 Stratigraphic column of Zamzama Area (BHP Billiton).

17
2.4 Borehole Stratigraphy

Table.2.2 Borehole stratigraphy of Zamzama-01 well

Formations Formation Top Thickness (meters)

(meters)

SIWALIK 8 1269

GAJ 1277 103

NARI 1380 593

KIRTHAR 1973 150

GHAZIJ 2123 150

LAKI 2273 393

DUNGHAN 2666 396

BARA-LAKHRA 3062 338

KHADRO 3400 54.5

PAB SANDSTONE 3454.5 223.5

FORT MUNRO 3678 86

PARH FORMATION 3764 169

2.5 Petroleum system

2.5.1 Source rock

Organic rich basinal marine shales of the Sembar and Goru are thought to
provide the source of the gas in the Zamzama discovery.
The very recent formation of the Zamzama thrust fold coincided with the
maximum burial and maturation of the regional Sembar/Goru source rock in the
associated synclines, particularly the developing foredeep west of Zamzama. The
Kirther Foredeep is thought to have been the primary source of the Zamzama gas
discovered in the hanging wall of the thrust fold. The synchronicity of trap
development and source maturity probably implies that Zamzama received
hydrocarbon gas charge from its inception and remained fill to spill as the fold
18
closure increased. Even with the separation of the fold into hanging wall and
footwall structures by thrust faulting, gas is still likely to have continued to migrate
into the footwall either by direct cross-fault leakage via Pab to Pab juxtaposition
or fault tip spill at the southern end of the field. Failing this, the syncline east of
Zamzama is likely to contain mature Sembar / Goru source rocks capable of directly
charging the footwall structure (Zamzama Development Plan, BGP)

2.5.2 Reservior rock

Pab Formation forms a primary hydrocarbon reservoir in the Kirther Foldbelt. It
is the main reservoir in both the Zamzama and Bhit gas fields. The Pab Sandstone
records westward progradation of shoreface through fluvial sandstones in response to
clastic sediment supply from the Indian Craton. Initiation of the sand supply was
probably related to thermal doming of the India Plate during its passage over the
Reunion hotspot. Additional gas is reservoired in sandstones of the overlying marginal
marine Khadro Formation (BHP Billiton Petroleum Pty Ltd et al.)

2.5.3 Top seal and cap rock

Ultimate top seal on the Khadro and Pab Sandstone gas accumulations is provided
by marine shales of the Girdo (Ranikot) Formation (Coutest, BHP Billiton Petroleum)

19
 CHAPTER 3
SEISMIC DATA INTERPRETATION

3.1 Introduction
Interpretation is a technique or tool by which we try to transform the whole
seismic information into structural or stratigraghical model of the earth. Since the
seismic section is the representative of the geological model of the earth, by
interpretation, one try to locate the zone of final anomaly. It is rare that correctness or
incorrectness of an interpretation is ascertained, because the actual geology is rarely
known in well manner. The test of good interpretation is consistency rather than
correctness. Not only a good interpretation be consistent with all the seismic data, it
also important to know all about the area, including gravity and magnetic data, well
information, surface geology as well as geologic and physical concept (Sheriff,1999)

An interpreter of seismic data may have good hold in both geology and
geophysics. It is the ingenuity and in-depth understanding of an interpreter to extract
geologic significance from aggregate of many minor observations. For example, down
dip thinning of the reflection might be result from normal increase velocity with depth
or thinning of the sediments or flow of the shale or salt may develop illusory structure
in the deeper horizon (Sheriff, 1999)

Main purpose of the reflection is to reveal as clear as possible the structure and
stratigraphy of the subsurface. Geologic meaning of the reflection is the indication of
the boundaries where there is change in the acoustic impedance; to distinguish the
different horizons with the seismic data we correlate the well information with the
seismic data. Seismic data have been interpreted in two modes, in first; well control and
used the well information to tie with the seismic data. In second, there is no well in the
area (frontier area), in this case the seismic data provide the definitions, structure and
estimate of the depositional environment, seismic velocity and seismic stratigraphic
concepts are used to define the lithology, gravity and magnetic data are used to decide
among the various interpretations (e.g. igneous plug or salt dome) (Dobrin and Savit,
1988)

20
There are two main approaches for the interpretation of a seismic section, stratigraphy
analysis and the structure analysis.

a. Stratigraphical interpretation
Stratigraphy analysis involves the delineating the seismic sequences, which
present the different depositional units, recognizing the seismic facies characteristic
with suggest depositional environment and analysis the reflection characteristic
variation to locate the both stratigraphy change and hydrocarbon depositional
environment . 3D work is especially important in recognizing the stratigraphic feature
with distinct shape. Hydrocarbon accumulation is indicated by the amplitude, velocity,
frequency or the change in wave shape. Variation of the amplitude with the offset is
also an important hydrocarbon indicator. Unconformities are marked by drainage
pattern that help to develop the depositional environment. Reef, lenses, unconformity
are example of stratigraphy traps (Sheriff, 1999)

b. Structural interpretation
In structural analysis main emphases is on the structural traps in which tectonic
play an important role. Tectonic setting usually governs which types of the structure
are present and how the structural features are correlated with each other, so tectonic of
the area is helpful in determining the structural style of the area and to locate the traps.
Structural traps include the faults, folds anticline, pop up, duplex, etc. (Sheriff, 1999)
Seismic section can predict the structure that scale up to few tens of kilometers.
For large scale interpretation, one have to use the grids of seismic lines. Unmigrated
section is not suitable for structure interpretation, because it creates many problems like
synclines becomes narrows and vice versa.

21
3.2 Base map of the area

Base map of the area shows two strike lines (HPK98A-31, 33) which are
oriented south-north direction and three dip lines (HPK98A-32, 34, 36; Figure 3.1)
which are oriented west-east direction.

Figure 3.1. Base map of area.

22
3.3 Time Depth chart
Time depth chart is basically used for seismic to well tie. The horizons are
marked on basis of formations top by calculating the formation depth.

Formation Depth = Formation top + SRD – Kb

SRD = 0m (Mean sea level)

Kb = 45.3m

Formation tops are given below:

Formation Depth (m)

Dungan Formation 2666.0
Khadro Formation 3400.0
Pab Sandstone 3454.5

Figure 3.2. T-D Chart of the formations.

3.4 Fault picking

The faults are typically identified based on break in the continuity of the
reflectors. The prominent faults are obvious on the seismic record.

23
3.5 Marking of horizons
The first step in interpretation process is marking of horizon in which the
excellent reflectors were picked. Reflectors are marked based on prominent coherency
of reflections visible on the seismic section from the subsurface interfaces. Three
horizons were picked up on the lines of the Dadu area. The horizons are Dungan,
Khadro and Pab formations. Marking of horizon is done with the help of available well
data from which the depth of each reflector is taken and then by solving the velocity
window of seismic section the Vavg is taken. After that by using the relation T=S/V,
the time value is calculated for each reflector and thus the horizons are marked.

3.6 Velocity analysis

The average velocity Vavg is simply defined as the velocity over certain
reflecting surface below the seismic reference datum (Dobrin, 1976).
V=Z/t

Where:
Z is the depth to the reflecting surface and t is the one-way transit time to the
reflector from the same reference.

3.7 Interpreted seismic sections

Seismic section is a collective representation of all the traces recorded on a
single respective line. A combination of the wiggles extending laterally is called
horizon. The main objective here is picking of the horizon.

Three horizons were marked on the seismic sections i.e. Dungan Formation,
Khadro Formation and Pab Sandstone. One faults was also marked on the seismic
section named F1. The fault is reverse fault in which hanging wall moves up along the
fault plane under the action of eastward oriented stress, which formed a large north–
south oriented and eastward verging thrusted anticline called Zamzama thrust fault.

24
3.8 Interpretation of seismic lines

Figure 3.3. Interpreted Seismic Line HPK 98A-31 which is strike line oriented South-North.

Figure 3.4. Interpreted Seismic Line HPK 98A-32 which is dip line oriented West-East.

25
Figure 3.5. Interpreted Seismic Line HPK 98A-33 which is strike line oriented South-North.

Figure 3.6 Interpreted Seismic Line HPK 98A-34 which is dip line oriented West-East.

26
Figure 3.7. Interpreted Seismic Line HPK 98A-36 which is dip line oriented West-East.

3.9 Contour maps

In the present work Kingdom Suite has been used for seismic interpretation.
Basically, this software is used in oil industry. Kingdom suite has been used to make
time and depth contour maps along with faults.

27
3.9.1 Time contour map of Pab Sandstone
The two way travel time is calculated and contoured using the Kingdom Suite
Software. The time is in milliseconds.

Figure 3.8. Time Contour map of Pab Sandstone.

The above figure determines that Pab Sandstone has an anticline and syncline
pattern because the values of contours decreases and increasing towards the center
respectively. The closed contours show the small values of travel time which is the
indication of bulge area or an anticline structure.

28
3.9.2 Velocity contour map of Pab Sandstone
The seismic velocities increase with increase in depth due to the overburden
pressure and increase in density. The velocity contour map shows that where contours
are closing and the velocity decreases over that area indicates it is an elevated area. The
increase in velocity shows the increase in depth.

Figure 3.9 Velocity contour map of Pab Sandstone.

29
3.9.3 Depth contour map of Pab Sandstone
The depth of the formation is determined and contoured as the closeness of these
contours indicates the rapid variation in either time or depth while the larger spacing
between contours shows less variation. A thrusted fault can also be observed which is
dipping north-east direction.

Figure 3.10 Depth contour map of Pab Sandstone.

30
 CHAPTER 4

PETROPHYSICAL ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF WELL LOGS

4.1 Introduction
The objective and purpose of our petro-physical analysis is to determine
different rock properties that exists within the zone of interest in reservoir horizons in
order to depict pay zones present in reservoir horizons and to quantify the hydrocarbon
saturation present in it via log techniques. The following steps are followed to achieve
this objective.
(a) Carrying out log interpretation to mark the suitable reservoir zones (pay zones).

(b) Computation of reservoir rock characteristics using various wire line logs.

(c) Interpretation of the measured parameters for the evaluation of the hydrocarbon
potential of the study area.

Log Readings

Marking of Reservoir zones

Lithology Identification

Calculation of Shale volume

Calculation of Density porosity & Effective porosity

Calculation of Water Resistivity

Evaluation of Water Saturation (Sw)

Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Saturation (Sh)

Figure 4.1. Work flow of Log interpretation.

31
4.2 Well data
Composite suite of logs comprising gamma ray, spontaneous potential (SP),
resistivity log, porosity logs (density log, sonic log neutron log, combination of neutron-
density log) were run in well Zamzama-01 is acquired for log interpretation to estimate
the reservoir characteristics.

4.3 Petroleum prospect

Potential source rocks include shale of Sembar and Goru Formation. Reservoir
characteristics are shown in Pab and Khadro formations. Top seal is provided by shales
of Ranikot Formation.

4.4 Methodology
For log interpretation, different types of standard cross plots and mathematical
charts have been used. The important reservoir parameter, which were calculated are
a) Volume of shale
b) Porosity of Formation
c) Water and hydrocarbon saturation
d) Resistivity of the Formation
The calculated values are plotted against depth for particular formation (Pab
Sandstone) encountered in Zamzama-01. Finally, the productive reservoir area is
delineated using depth contour map.
To evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of well, following reservoir parameters are
calculated.
a) Average porosity(φav)
b) Average volume of shale (Vsh)
c) Average water saturation (SWav)

Evaluation of water and hydrocarbon saturation in the Pab Sandstone suggest

the possibility of two prospect zones encountered at variable depths which are as
follows.

Zone 1: Depth ranges from 3474m to 3482m

Zone 2: Depth ranges from 3652m to 3672m

32
 These zones of interest have been marked on the criteria based on marking of
crossover between neutron and density curves. Porosity measurements are done using
neutron log and the bulk density measurements using density log.

The Gamma ray log is used in the identification of lithology. Gamma ray log is
used in the interpretation for the calculation of Shale volume and Effective porosity.

The Calculation of Permeability and Bulk volume of water is measured by using

saturation of water and effective porosity. In the end analysis of resistivity logs are used
for calculation of formation water resistivity and hence for the calculation of saturation
of water and saturation of hydrocarbons.

4.5 Raw log data

The raw log data was obtained from LMKR. The data contained the raw log
curves. Following logs got obtained.

(a) Gamma Ray Log

(b) Neutron Log

(c) Density log

(d) Resistivity Log

4.6 Pab Sandstone Zone 1 (3474-3482m)

Figure 4.2. Log showing NPHI , RHOB, Resistivity, GR and caliper from 3474 to 3482 meter, with
marked zone of interest.

33
4.6.1 Calculation of volume of shale
Shale is more radioactive than sand or carbonate therefore gamma ray logs have
been used to calculate volume of shale in porous reservoirs. The volume of shale can
then be applied for analysis of shaly sands.
Calculation of the gamma ray index is the first step needed to determine the
volume of shale from a gamma ray log (the following formula from Schlumberger,
1974).

IGR= (GRlog-GRmin)/ (GRmax-GRmin)

Where:
IGR = gamma ray index
GRlog = gamma ray reading of formation
GRmin = minimum gamma ray (clean sand or carbonate)
GRmax = maximum gamma ray (shale)

Zone 1:
Vsh =16.1%
Vclean =83.8%

Figure 4.3 Volume of Shale of zone-1.

34
4.6.2 Calculation of average porosity
Porosity plays an important role in production of well. If the porosity is greater
than 6%, Formation is regarded as productive Formation. Porosity of each meter is
averaged out to calculate total reservoir pore volume.
Formula for average porosity is

Φav = DPHI+NPHI/2
The equation will be:

Φav =∑ (n. Φ)/ ∑ n

Zone 1:
Avg Porosity =9.6%

Figure 4.4 Average porosity graph.

35
4.6.3 Calculation of Effective porosity
The effective porosity is the interconnected porosity of a medium. It can be calculated
by using the formula:

Effective Porosity
PHIE = PHIA * (1 – Volume of Shale)

Zone 1:
Effective Porosity
=7.98%

Figure 4.5 Effective porosity graph.

36
4.6.4 Calculation of Saturation of water and hydrocarbon
The water saturation is calculated by using Archie’s Law

And saturation of hydrocarbon by using formula

Sh = 1 - Sw

Zone 1:
Sw =31.9%
Sh =69.1%

Figure 4.6 Saturation of water and hydrocarbon.

37
4.7 Pab Sandstone Zone 2 (3652-3672m)

Figure 4.7 Log showing NPHI , RHOB, Resistivity, GR and caliper from 3652 to 3672 meter, with
marked zone of interest.

4.7.1 Calculation of volume of shale (Zone-2)

Zone 2:
Vsh =16.3%
Vclean =83.7%

Figure 4.8 Volume of Shale of zone-2.

38
4.7.2 Calculation of average and effective porosity (Zone-2)

Zone 2: Zone 2:
Average Porosity Effective Porosity
=6.6% =5.7%

Figure 4.9 Calculation of average and effective porosity of zone 2.

39
4.7.3 Calculation of Saturation of water and hydrocarbon

Zone 1:
Sw =31.9%
Sh =69.1%

Figure 4.10 Calculation of saturation of water and hydrocarbon of zone 2.

40
 CONCLUSIONS
1. On the basis of seismic data interpretation, the Zamzama structure is a plunging
anticline feature with a north–south oriented and eastward verging. Zamzama play is
formed along Zamzama thrust fault.

2. The average porosity in the both zones of Pab formation is 8% and effective
porosity is 6.84%. In both zones of Pab Sandstone, the saturation of water on average
is 30 % and saturation of hydrocarbon is 70 %. Therefore, the Pab Sandstone is acting
as reservoir formation in this area.

41
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